Well screen



June 4, 1929. J, MGEVOY, JR 1,715,856

WELL SCREEN Filed Jan. 28, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 4, 1929.

J. H. M EVOY, JR

WELL SCREEN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 28, 1927 Patented June 4, 1929.

UNITED STATES JOSEPH HENRY MCEVOY, JR, OF" HOUSTON, TEXAS.

WELL SCREEN.

Application filed January 28, 1927.

My invention relates to well screens for use in deep wells in filtering the oil or water which enters the well pipe. I

The common type of we l strainer is made by perforating the pipe to be placed adjacent the producing stratum and to then wind the perforated section with screening wire or member fixed to the pipe in spiral turns uniformly spaced apart throughout the length of the strainer. The present method of securing the wire to the pipe is not satisfactory, due to the fact that solder or other metal different in its chemical composition from that of the wire is employed in securing the wire to the pipe, and when this is done an electrolytic action is set up in the well which causes rapid deterioration of the screen. It is also diflicult to secure the wire to the pipe so that it will not become par tially unwrapped from the pipe when the wire becomes broken or torn when it is introduced into the well.

It is an object of my invention to provide eificient means for securing the wire to the body of the strainer and to employ means which will avoid the usual difliculty due to electrolytic action.

The invention consists in the employment of means for holding the wire while it is being secured in place and of the effective means employed in holding the wire to the pipe.

Referring to the drawing herewith, Fig. 1 is abroken side elevation illustrating a pipe wound with wire and showing the employment of my improvement in securing the wire in position. Fig. 2.is a transverse section through the wrapped screen. Fig. 3 is.

a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating a slightly differently arrangement of the securing means. Fig. 4 is a broken plan view illustrating the means for holding the pipe while the wire is being secured in position. Fig. 5 is a vertical section throughv the holding device shown in Fig. 4. Like numerals of reference are employed to designate like parts in all the views.

In carrying out my invention, I contemplate applying upon a pipe 1 formed with spaced perforations 2 therein a wrapping of straining wire 3. This wire is of common construction and is sometimes referred to as keystone wire due to the fact that its cross section is somewhat keystone shaped, the outer face being of wider diameter than the Serial No. 164,171.

inner face adjacent the ipe. The wire is wrapped spirally about't e pipe, the adjacent windings being spaced uniformly a predetermined distance apart so as to form between the adjacent windings straining slots 4 which, because of the keystone shape of the wire, are narrower on the outer side and the walls thereof diverge inwardly toward the pipe.

To secure this wire to the perforated pipe, I contemplate winding the wire in spaced relation upon the pipe, as shown in Fig. 1, and inorder that the wire may be held in position, it may be spot welded to the pipe as it is wound. This would be suflicient to hold. the wire. in place so that there would be no danger of its becoming unwound. It

is contemplated however that the wire may be wrapped tightly on the screen without spot welding and held firmlyin that position while the same .is secured upon the pipe by welding strips of material longitudinally of the pipe.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I have indicated a clamping means for holding the wire in wrapped position upon the pipe while it is being welded in place. This holding means comprises a base which is contemplated will be the full length of the pipe. It is preferably made of a beam of channel iron 5 with the outer sides extended downwardly, as shown 7 in Fig. 5. To this base I contemplate fixing at spaced intervals along the length of the base a series of supports. Said supports comprise base plates 6 resting upon the base 5 and. of the same width as the base. The plate is secured to the base by bolts indicated at 7 at each side. It has spaced supporting posts 8 adjacent each end. These posts have horizontally threaded openings 9 therein to receive screws 10. The'inner ends of these opposed screws are formed with a smooth head 11 adapted to fit within slots 12 in holding blocks 13. The heads 11 are smooth so that the screws may be rotated within the slots in the blocks. The inner or forward side of each holding block is forked to provide two spaced arms 14; to engage with the wrapped screen, shown in dotted lines at 15. It is to be understood that these opposite clamping blocks may be forced by the screws 10 toward each other by the rotation of the screws so as to firmly grip and hold the pipe with the wire wrapped thereon. As many of these sets of holding blocks may' be employed throughout the length of the base 5 as may be found desirable.

When the screen has been wrapped about the pipe and the ends secured in position on the pipe, 'the wrapped pipe may then be placed Within the holding means shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and longitudinal strips of metal of approximately the same chemical coinposition as the wire and the pipe may be welded longitudinally of the screen. In performing this process, I contemplate cutting a longitudinal groove 16 in the wire in its Wrapped position on the pipe, as shown in Fig. 1. The groove will out part way through the wire, ex-

. posing the pipe between the grooved portions,

as shown at 17. lVithin this longitudinal groove I contemplate placing a rod or strip 18 of steel or brass or whatever composition is desired, it being understood that the 'rod' will be of approximately the same composition as .the wire and the pipe. This rod will then be welded in place. This may be done by a blow-torch, if desired, but I have shown an electric welder which is in some cases preferable to the blow-torch. I place one of the wires 19 in the circuit with one end attached to a terminal 20 on the pipe itself, the other end of the Wire extending to a source of electric energy 21. The other wire in the circuit, indicated. at 92, is connected with an electrode 23, the point of which may be applied to the rod being wound. As the electrode 23 is moved along the rod, the rod will be melted and welded to the adjacent wraps of wire, and at the points 17 between the wire it will come in contact with the pipe itself and adhere thereto. As many of these longitudinal rods of welding material may be employed as is necessary to securely hold the wire in position.

In Fig. 3 I have indicated another idea in securing the wire in position which differs from the Fig. 1 embodiment mainly in the fact that the wire may not be grooved to receive the welding material and strips or rib bons 18' may be secured around the pipe in helical turns of steeper pitch than that of the wire, there being two crossed sets of strips each welded to the outer face of the wire so as to form a net work of welded material holding the wraps of wire securely in position. It is to be understood that this wire may be held in position by the holding means shown in Fig. 4, and that the pipe may be shifted within the holding means to give access to the outer surface of the pipe asis necessary in applying the strips.

The advantage of my improvement lies in the lon er life and greater strength of the strainer obtained. The welding of material along the wire results in a firmer bond to secure the wire in place. The use of material of like composition, or at least material of the same electrolytic solution pressure, as the pipe or wire avoidsone of the greatest .causes of deterioration of the pipe, that is, electrolysis and rapid oxidation. The strainer will better resist tearing or rupture of the wrapping and will out-wear ordinary strainer.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A well strainer comprising a perforated pipe, a Wire wrapped spirally about said pipe, and means to retain said wire on said pipe, comprising a rod of material of composition like that of the pipe and the a wire placed within a groove in said wire longitudinally of the pipe and welded to-said wire and pipe.

2. A well strainer comprising a perforated pipe, a wire wrapped spirally about said pipe, and means to retain said wire on said pipe, comprising a rod placed within a groove in said Wire longitudinally of the pipe, and welded to said wire and pipe.

3. In a well strainer comprising a perforated pipe and keystone wire Wrapped spirally about said pipe, the combination of a rod crossing the windings of wire and welded thereto, said rod being of approximately the same electrolytic solution pressure as said wire and sald pipe to prevent electrolysis in use.

4. A well strainer comprising a perforated pipe, wire wrapped spirally about said pipe, said wire having a groove cut transversely thereof, a bond of welded material in said groove, said bond having approximately the same solution pressure as said wire.

5. In a well strainer; a perforated pipe, a wire wrapped spirally about the pipe, and rods of material set in grooves spirally of said pipe, formed transversely of the wire in the manner described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature this 6th day of January, A. D. 1927.-

JOSEPH HENRY MoEVOY, JR. 

